M&M’s fans elect new color mix for limited edition candy packages

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. — Admit it, you have a favorite M&M’s color, and you’ll defend that "melts in your mouth, not in your hands" color with robust vigor. M&M’S has a rich, "colorful" history dating back more than 70 years. Fans were never given the chance to choose specific color combinations for mass-produced packages — until now. Mars Chocolate North America announced new limited edition 8-oz. mix of M&M’s Milk Chocolate and Peanut pouches to hit stores later this month, featuring a never-before-seen blend of colors selected exclusively by fans.

From December 2011 through January 2012, M&M’s asked the community of more than 2.5 million Facebook fans to decide which combination of chocolate shell colors should be featured together in their new 8-oz. packages for a limited time. When the votes were tallied, the winning colors included three existing fan favorites — blue, red and green — as well as three new colors, purple, aqua and dark pink. The vibrant new M&M’s color mix will be featured in 8-oz. M&M’s Milk Chocolate and Peanut pouches, available in select stores later this month and nationwide next month.

“M&M’s fans have always been very passionate about the colors of our delicious chocolate candies,” said Roy Benin, chief consumer officer for Mars Chocolate North America. “This election year was the perfect opportunity to allow our fans to express their opinions about their favorite colors — and we are excited to create this new M&M’s color mix based on their response. While the outcome provided an even split between traditional favorites and bold new options, we’re sure fans will have fun debating the choices with every bite."

What do the DSN readers think of these new colors? What colors would you have liked to see? Comment on our Facebook page.

Albertsons to feature gluten-free pizzas from Better4U Foods

DELRAY BEACH, Fla. — More than five-dozen Albertsons stores in the West will start selling gluten-free frozen pizzas this month.

Better4U Foods said Friday that 63 stores in Albertsons’ Intermountain West Division — which includes Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming — would stock the pizzas. Pizza varieties will include Gluten-Free Four Cheese, Gluten-Free Uncured Pepperoni and the vegan Dairy-Free Gluten-Free Roasted Vegetable.

"Partnering with Albertsons gives us an entree to the Supervalu network of approximately 2,500 stores," Better4U Foods CEO Jack Lotker said. "We’re confident that Albertsons customers will appreciate that our gluten-free pizzas have the right mix of great taste and superior nutritionals — dramatically lower than the competition in calories, fat and sodium."

Atkins Nutritionals introduces Atkins Frozen Meals

DENVER — Atkins Nutritionals has launched a line of low-carbohydrate frozen meals that will be available nationwide starting in January 2013, the company said.

Atkins said Atkins Frozen Meals, which includes nine entrees, were developed with a focus on taste and ingredients such as vegetables, creams, sauces, and meats without any fillers or preservatives. Dishes include pot pies without the crust, turkey and green beans without stuffing, and egg scrambles without hash browns.

"For our 7 million loyal followers, who enjoy rich, flavorful foods made from scratch, the frozen aisle can feel like a frosty wasteland of unsatisfying, low-fat, low-calorie and high-carb options," Akins Nutritionals chief marketing officer Scott Parker said. "The Atkins Frozen Meals line offers Atkins followers, who are accustomed to homemade food and fresh ingredients, a convenient and satisfying solution to help facilitate weight loss."

The protein drinks contain pea-protein, nine grams of sugar, no more than 160 calories, and come in four flavors, while the cold-pressed juices come in two options and contain seven ingredients and no sugar.

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